04/09/2025
"Nobody really wants to put you on TV anymore."
This is what a PR guy told me a few years ago. He was upset that I had cancelled a scheduled appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show and warned me that not only was I burning a bridge, but I was also getting too old to be on TV. I was 44.
I'd be lying if I said I haven't gone over that decision in my head a thousand times since that day in February 2023. Still, despite my curiosity about what that appearance may have led to, I stand firmly that holding tight to our values was more important than a TV show.
It frustrates me greatly that we live in a world where sometimes the only way to be "seen" is to compromise a bit about who you are, or to play into whatever popular narrative is getting the most attention. But sadly, that is often the reality of media, and for smaller nonprofits like ours, it can cost us if we don't play the game.
I was reminded of this PR guy's remark today when Facebook sent me a post from December 2014. It was me in Pandora magazine. They were honoring women in nonprofits doing extraordinary work in a piece called "Hearts of Today". They also gave One Simple Wish $25,000.
Yes, it was 11 years ago, and I was 37 years old. But I'd like to believe I'm still not "too old to be on TV" and that many more media appearances for me and One Simple Wish are still on the horizon - maybe Kelly will even invite us back for a more authentic segment.
Regardless, I remain grateful to the stories that have been told about our work and the work done by countless other extraordinary, compassionate, hardworking people in the nonprofit space.
The world needs to hear more stories like these.
;DG
